Sir Gerhard is expected to be the favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' hurdle at the Cheltenham festival this year.
The seven-year-old horse was initially expected to compete in the Ballymore race on day two of the festival. However, support for the Willie Mullins trained horse has seen it become favourite for the first race of the festival at 2/1.
Sir Gerhard takes over from Constitution Hill as the favourite for the festival opener, with Nicky Henderson's contender now at 5/2. Mullins' other horse in the race Dysart Dynamo comes in at 11/4.